Dialog system for warning and information systems

Abstract

In order to make warning devices more efficient, it is known to design parameters to be variable and therewith to be adaptable depending upon the state or condition of a user of the warning information. Herein, for example, warning start points are changed or multi-stage warnings are engineered depending upon urgency. The disadvantage of such an adaptive system can however reside therein, that the mechanistic detection of the condition of the operator using various sensor systems and the subsequent output to the operator or the operator assistant system is not always acceptable, which can irritate the vehicle operator or occupants. In order to increase the acceptance by the user of the warning information it is proposed that in the lead-up to a planned change in the mode and manner of the output of the warning information, communication is initiated with at least one of the users. In the framework of this communication a user can indicate his acceptance or declining with respect to the planned change.

1. A process for controlling a warning system of which the mode and manner of output of warning information is dynamically adaptable to the behavior of one or more users of this information or to the situation prevailing in the environment of the system, comprising:
 having the system initiate communication with at least one of the users of the information preliminary to a planned change in the mode and manner of the output of warning information, and 
 having the user indicate acceptance or declining of the planned change within the framework of this communication, 
 wherein a change in the mode and manner of the output warning information does not occur when, in the framework of the communication, a declining thereof is indicated, and 
 wherein the declining by at least one of the users is ignored by the system when the warning system has recognized that a significantly stronger change in the mode and manner of the output of the warning information is necessary, or when the user has averted his eyes from the display unit. 
 
   
   
     2. The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the change in the mode and manner of the output warning information which is actually carried out is less of a change than initially planned. 
   
   
     3. The process according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 monitoring the behavior of one or more users or the situation prevailing in the environment of the system for indications of a need for the output of warning information, 
 upon detecting the need for the output of warning information, outputting such warning information at a planned initial mode and manner, and 
 further monitoring the behavior of one or more users or the situation prevailing in the environment of the system for indications of a need for a change in the mode and manner of the output of the warning information, and upon detection of such indications, planning to make such a change in the mode and manner of the output of the warning information. 
 
   
   
     4. The process according to  claim 3 , wherein a change in the mode and manner of the output of the warning information occurs when, in the framework of the communication, an acceptance thereto is indicated. 
   
   
     5. The process according to  claim 3 , wherein neither an acceptance nor a declining of the planned change is indicated by the user within a predetermined time span, and following expiration of the time span, the system carries out the planned change in the mode or manner of the warning information. 
   
   
     6. The process according to  claim 3 , wherein in the case that the warning system recognizes the need for a significantly stronger change in the mode and manner of the output of the warning information, the acceptance to the change is presumed to have been given by at least one of the users, and as a consequence thereof, the system carries out the planned change. 
   
   
     7. The process according to  claim 4 , wherein the occurrence of the change in the mode and manner of the output warning information is brought to the attention of the user. 
   
   
     8. The process according to  claim 3 , wherein the communication involves at least one speech dialog system. 
   
   
     9. The process according to  claim 3 , wherein the communication involves at least one of an optical signal means and a graphic display unit. 
   
   
     10. A device for controlling a warning system, comprising
 a unit for initiating communication with at least one of the users of the information preliminary to a planned change in the mode and manner of the output of warning information, via which communication this user can express acceptance or declining of the planned change in the mode and manner of the output of the warning information, and 
 a unit for outputting warning information, and 
 wherein the unit for outputting warning information does not output a chance in the mode and manner of the output warning information when, in the framework of the communication, a declining thereof is indicated, and 
 wherein the unit for outputting warning information ignores the declining by at least one of the users when the warning system has recognized that a significantly stronger change in the mode and manner of the output of the warning information is necessary, or when the user has averted his eyes front the display unit. 
 
   
   
     11. The device according to  claim 10 , wherein the communication unit includes a speech dialog system. 
   
   
     12. The device according to  claim 10 , wherein the communication means includes at least one of an optical signal means and a graphic display unit. 
   
   
     13. The device according to  claim 10 , wherein the communication is haptic, olfactory and/or acoustic communication. 
   
   
     14. The device according to  claim 10 , wherein the warning system further includes a means for detecting the direction of view of at least one of the users. 
   
   
     15. The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the warning system is an automobile warning system. 
   
   
     16. The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the warning system is a power station or rail system warning system.